13 classic viewpoints in Berlin: here you can see Berlin from above!

Welcome to Berlin! Discovering a city from a bird's eye view is always very special. A variety of domes, towers, platforms, hills, and panoramic points offer the best views over the capital. In this article, we show you the classic viewpoints to discover Berlin from above.

1. Berlin Cathedral
2. Berlin TV Tower
3. French Cathedral
4. Radio tower
5. Bell tower at the Olympic Stadium
6. Grunewald Tower
7. Panoramapunkt
8. Reichstag building
9. Victory Column
10. Teufelsberg
11. Volkspark Friedrichshain
12. World ballon
13. Zionskirche

Photo: Matthias Guenter, Pixabay

Berlin Cathedral
In the center of Berlin, the Berlin Cathedral with its large green dome and shiny gold cross cannot be overlooked. Not only the richly decorated interior is an eye-catcher. Those who climb the 270 steps to the dome are rewarded with a beautiful view over downtown Berlin at a height of about 50 meters.

Berliner Dom, Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin, Website

Berlin TV Tower
The highest point of Berlin keeps what it promises: a 360-degree panoramic view over Berlin. In good weather, you can even see as far as Tropical Island, about 80 km away. The observation deck is located at a height of 203 meters. The restaurant is located one floor above. If you reserve a seat at the window, you can turn around within half an hour. Sightseeing without standing up.

Berliner Fernsehturm, Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin, Website

French Cathedral
Located directly on the Gendarmenmarkt, the French Cathedral is an interesting building even when viewed from below. Anyways, be sure to go inside, because from about 40 meters you have a great view of the Gendarmenmarkt, the German Cathedral opposite and the concert hall located in the middle. If you look in the other direction, you can spot the TV Tower and Berlin Cathedral. But let your gaze also wander downwards, because from above you can see all the way to the bottom of the French Cathedral.

Französischer Dom, Gendarmenmarkt 7, 10117 Berlin, Website

Photo: Achim Scholty, Pixabay

Radio Tower
The TV tower is in the east, the radio tower is in the west of the city. Originally planned as a platform for antennas, it became a tourist attraction thanks to the observation deck and an exclusive restaurant. In just 33 seconds, the elevator takes you to the observation deck at 126 meters. From there you can enjoy the view over Berlin at your leisure.

Funkturm, Hammarskjöldplatz, 14055 Berlin, Website

Bell Tower at the Olympic Stadium
The bell tower is located between Spandau and Alexanderplatz. In particularly good weather, you can even see as far as Potsdam. In the direct neighborhood of the Waldbühne and the Olympic Stadium, you can go up the bell tower in a glass elevator. The viewing platform is located at a height of 77 meters. By the way, this is already the second bell tower. The original tower was built in 1934 - 1936 on the occasion of the Olympic Games but then damaged in the Second World War and then blown up.

Glockenturm, Am Glockenturm 1, 14053 Berlin, Website

Grunewald Tower
The Grunewald Tower stands in the middle of the Grunewald. The red brick tower is a monument and a lookout tower at the same time. It was built on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1899. To enjoy the beautiful view over the Grunewald and the Havel shore, you must first climb 204 steps. The observation deck is located 36 meters above the ground and about 86 meters above the water level.

Grunewaldturm, Havelchaussee 61, 14193 Berlin, Website

Photo: Stefanie Jost

Panoramapunkt
When you're out and about at Potsdamer Platz, be sure to plan a stop at the Kollhoff Tower. This is where you'll find the Panoramapunkt Berlin. The fastest elevator in Europe takes you to the best views of Berlin in 20 seconds. At around 100 meters, you can discover Berlin's sights with a 360-degree panoramic view. With the restaurant, you can relax from sightseeing with coffee and cake and a fantastic view. By the way: with the EasyCityPass Berlin you get a 33% discount on the regular ticket incl. a 360-degree panoramic view photo card.

Panoramapunkt, Potsdamer Platz 1, 10785 Berlin, Website

Reichstag building
Climb on the politicians' heads? You can do that at the Reichstag. From the roof, you have a 360-degree panoramic view over the Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz, the Spree, or the Brandenburg Gate. If you walk up the snail-shaped walkway into the glass dome, you can change the view over the city piece by piece. Prior registration is always required to visit the Reichstag building.

Deutscher Bundestag, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin, Website

Photo: Tanja Cotoaga, Unsplash

Victory Column
The Goldelse, as the Victory Column is called by Berliners, stands at 67 meters in the middle of the Great Tiergarten. The golden goddess of victory Victoria shines in the sunlight and can already be seen from a distance. This viewing platform requires good physical condition. In a narrow spiral walk you walk 285 steps and 51 meters of altitude until you reach the small door for the special view over Berlin. The tip to visit this place at sunset is certainly no longer an insider tip, but still worthwhile.

Siegessäule, Großer Stern 1, 10557 Berlin, Website

Teufelsberg
This area is only accessible via guided tours. It's worth it because, in addition to the fantastic view at 55 meters above the city level, you can also discover one of the largest street art galleries in Germany on the premises of the old US listening and jamming station. At 120.1 meters above sea level, Teufelsberg is the second-highest elevation in Berlin.

Radarstation Teufelsberg, Teufelsseechaussee 10, 14193 Berlin, Website

Volkspark Friedrichshain
The Trümmerberg in Volkspark Friedrichshain is located in the oldest park in Berlin. It was created in 1846 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the accession of Frederick the Great. The mountain of rubble was filled in after the Second World War to make the remains of the Friedrichshain anti-aircraft installations disappear. Various paths now lead through dense forestation to the top, which is 40 meters. Depending on the season, the view over Berlin is unobstructed or somewhat enchanted.

Volkspark Friedrichshain, Am Friedrichshain 1, 10407 Berlin, Website

Photo: Stefanie Jost

World balloon
High up, near Checkpoint Charlie, you can take a ride in the Hi-Flyer World balloon. It is one of the largest passenger-tethered balloons in the world. The helium balloon takes off every 15 minutes in good weather conditions and then climbs quite comfortably to a height of 150 meters. The World balloon and the observation gondola are moored to the ground with a rope the entire time during the ascent. Inside the World balloon, you can move freely 360 degrees all around and thus enjoy the view of Berlin.

Welt-Ballon, Air Service Berlin, Zimmerstraße 100, 10117 Berlin, Website

Zionskirche
The observation tower in the middle of the residential district is a place steeped in history: Kaiser Wilhelm I supported the construction of the Zionskirche at the end of the 19th century. Dietrich Bonhoeffer worked here as a pastor and in GDR times opponents of the regime and opposition members met at this place. The 67-meter-high tower offers a wonderful view over Prenzlauer Berg to Charlottenburg, Neukölln, or Schöneberg. There is no elevator to the observation deck. Compared to other Berlin lookout points, however, only 104 steps have to be climbed via a spiral staircase.

Zionskirche, Zionskirchplatz, 10119 Berlin, Website

With this list, you are well prepared for your trip to Berlin and can discover the city in a special way. The view from above opens up completely new perspectives. If you need more ideas for your Berlin trip, check out our other blog posts.